We tested Thello, the Paris-Venice night train LaQuotidienne.fr - Tourism news in France and abroad
We tested Thello, the Paris-Venice night train
627 February 2019Yves Pouchard6 commentsTransportThello, trenitalia, venetia35119 viewsLeading alternative passenger transport rail operator in France, Thello, a subsidiary of Trenitalia, offers two daily lines like no other. One day between the south of France and the north of Italy. A night between Paris and Venice. It is the latter that we tested as a couple.
Meet at the huge Gare de Lyon. The presence of the Thello store lets us imagine a departure from Hall 1. It is almost 7 p.m. when we present ourselves in front of the door of our wagon to the multilingual receptionist in a red parka. Verification of tickets, word of welcome and assistance with luggage (with Thello, you are entitled to two suitcases and one bag per person).
We booked an entire sleeping cabin, for the two of us, three folding berths, two armchairs facing each other, a small table, a wardrobe and a bathroom. Our duvets, pillows and towels are sealed in plastic. In a welcome box, for each, an explanatory sheet of the trip, a wipe, a bottle of water, an orange-lemon-carrot juice, a packet of aperitif cakes... and a small bottle of prosecco. It begins well !
A few minutes after departure (on time), the agent goes to the cabin to give the vouchers for the complimentary breakfast which will be served from 5:30 a.m., and to take our passports. He will take care of presenting them at the border in case of control in the middle of the night so as not to have to wake us up. We will recover them from the stop in Milan. Once savored our prosecco, head for the restaurant car. Cinema-style folding red and gray seats await us. On the menu, a choice of snacks and prepared dishes. We opt for a duck confit. Not too expensive, quickly served after a free tapenade and rather good. The wine, on the other hand, is sold at the price of a champagne and increases the bill: 46€ for two.
On the way back, we meet the agent and ask him as planned to install our beds now. Disappointment: the mattresses have the comfort of a wooden board.
The Magic of the Train
This is where the magic of the train comes in. The regular friction of the wheels on the rails and the nonchalant rocking of the cars have virtues of returning to childhood when the night train was in common use. And we fall asleep easily.
When we wake up, we will be in Italy without having felt any delay or stress. As we drive on weekdays, the passage is made directly between the two countries via Modane where a stop of half an hour to three quarters of an hour is compulsory for the controls... or not.
(On weekends, Thello takes a route through Switzerland and the zeal of customs officers can then be more penalizing for the schedule).
In full sleep, we did not see the stop at Modane. Fresh and refreshed, we opened our eyes to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps gently emerging from the darkness. Milan is coming soon and we're heading to the dining car. With our tickets, breakfast is therefore included with a choice of French, Italian or international breakfast.
In reality, it's a croissant covered in sugar for the French, the same with jam or chocolate for the Italian or international versions. Not terrible. The accompanying coffee and orange juice make the pill go away.
- Prev
- Next
